Project Background
Following a system-wide evaluation by the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department, it was determined that the Duluth and Case Recreation Center needs replacement. Although popular and well-used, the existing building no longer meets the needs of residents and the standards for a City of Saint Paul community asset. Today’s Recreation Center is a small building underutilizing a large park space. Since its construction in the 1970s, the demographics and interests of the surrounding neighborhood and community have changed, and limitations of the building and site prevented it from adapting.
The new facility will serve the area better by providing expanded programming for all ages and backgrounds, and it will be designed with flexibility in mind so that it can serve as a destination for Saint Paul’s East Side for many years. The goals for the project are ambitious, and funding sources are competitive. As a result, the project team is interested in exploring phasing strategies if it best serves the goals of the project.
Project Overview
This project is a complete revisioning of a 10.5-acre park on Saint Paul’s East Side located at 1020 Duluth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106. It includes design and construction of a new building of approximately 35,000 square feet with spaces typical for a Saint Paul community center. This includes multigenerational social spaces, flexible athletic spaces, and casual gathering spaces. The materials will be durable and timeless, and the spaces will be designed to adapt to future changes in community interests and technological advances.
As this project is a complete redevelopment of a recreation center on a city park, the outdoor spaces hold equal significance to the interior. Outdoor amenities will be positioned on site to maximize public opportunity for structured and spontaneous activity. Plans include a large multipurpose synthetic turf field, various courts, a play area designed for 2–12-year-olds, and open green space connected by paths for site circulation and maintenance. This project will provide a regional amenity for a diverse mix of active and passive programming interests.
Design studies and community outreach for the project began in December 2024, and as of Spring 2026, the project team has completed the schematic design phase. The next phase, Design Development, will commence in the Fall of 2026.
Project Updates
December 2025:
The design team visited a 30-student class at Johnson Senior High School on Thursday, December 4th to gain insights and comments from local high schoolers on the current design of the park and community center.
November 2025:
The design team hosted an Open House Community Engagement Event at Hmong Village on Friday, November 21st from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. We spoke with a few dozen community members and shared an updated proposed site plan for the layout of the park amenities.
You can find the link to the discussion boards in five languages below as well as a photo of the team in action:
English:
Karen:
Hmong:
Somali:
Spanish:
November 2025:
The design team hosted the second Community Advisory Committee meeting online on Thursday, November 6th from 6 PM - 7 PM. The presentation is included in the link below:
Please feel free to provide feedback to the design team by emailing Meredith Ver Steeg at meredith.ver.steeg@ci.stpaul.mn.us by Friday, November 14th.
September 2025:
The design team hosted the first Community Advisory Committee meeting online on Thursday, September 18th from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM. The presentation is included in the link below:
Please feel free to provide feedback to the design team by emailing Meredith Ver Steeg at meredith.ver.steeg@ci.stpaul.mn.us by Friday, October 3rd.
June 2025:
The design team held the first community open house event for the future Duluth & Case Community & Aquatics Center, in order to obtain feedback on preliminary conceptual studies, and to seek ideas about programming for the new facility and park amenities. The event was held on Wednesday, June 4th from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM at the Duluth and Case Recreation Center at 1020 Duluth Street.
Weren't able to attend this community engagement event? We still want your feedback! Please participate in our Duluth & Case Community & Aquatics Center - Survey #1.
You may also view the Community Engagement Event Boards by clicking on each of the links below:
The Preliminary Park Concept Options page shows two layout options that the design team is exploring for the future park, which include a Multi-Purpose Turf Field, Sports Courts, Passive Recreation, Play Areas, Perimeter Trails, Walkways & Plazas, parking areas, and the New Community & Aquatics Center.
The Existing Site Plan shows the layout of the existing Duluth & Case Recreation Center property, including the existing Recreation Center building, the orchard/garden, parking, outdoor play, baseball/softball fields, Tuj Lub Courts, Sepak Takraw Courts, Tennis/Pickleball Courts, and the Bruce Vento Trail.
The Concept Site Plan shows a possible layout for the future Duluth & Case Community & Aquatics Center, including an entry courtyard, entry terrace, parking, outdoor play, basketball courts, the Bruce Vento Trail, Tuj Lub courts, Sepak Takwraw courts, tennis/pickleball courts, a multi-purpose turf field, the future aquatics expansion, and a future Phalen connection.
The Concept Floor Plans page shows the preliminary layout of the two floors of the New Community & Aquatics Center which the design team is currently exploring. It includes the gymnasium, community spaces, building support spaces, and pool spaces.
March 2025:
The Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with the Saint Paul Youth Commission to collect a list of community needs and new ideas for the Duluth and Case Revisioning Project. Please fill out the brief Community Center Survey and tell the Youth Commission what you think!
December 2024:
The City of Saint Paul has partnered with HGA Architects for the design of the new community center.
Community Engagement
Future Events
If you’d like to stay up-to-date on future upcoming events and receive project updates, please email one of Design and Construction Team staff members listed under “Contact Us” below.
Estimated Project Timeline
The Duluth & Case Revisioning design phase kicked off in Spring 2025 for an estimated Fall 2026 construction start.